Propelling means



Nov. 7, 1933 A. ,L. w'mms PROPELLING MEANS Filed July '27, 1931 J/wM rm. 1423M?" L. W/m/s.

IT TUBA [X Patented Nov. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved propelling means wherein a plurality of streams of expanding fluid are caused to converge and impinge either upon each other or upon a plate, or other surface.

An object of my invention is to provide a novel propelling means in which a combustible fluid.

is fed into a plurality of barrels and simultaneously ignited therein, the expanding fluid in these barrels being directed against a plate or the like, whereby a propelling force is obtained.

Another object is to provide a novel propelling means wherein a plurality of converging barrels are fed with a combustible material, and said material is then ignited at equal distances from the point of convergence of the barrels.

Other objects, advantages, and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawing, the subjoined detailed description, and the appended claims.

- Figure 1 is a plan view of a type of my propelling means.

Figure2 is a fragmentary, enlarged side elevation of one of the barrels.

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse, sectional view of the check valve.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a slightly modified form of propelling means.

Figure 5 is a plan view of still another form of propelling means.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal, sectional view of a still further modified form of propelling means.

Referring more particularly to the drawing. the numeral 1 indicates a reservoir in which a combustible material is placed, and from which said material is fed into the propelling means 2. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the propelling means comprises a plurality of diverging barrels 3. These barrels converge at a check valve 4, which valve is mounted in the supply-pipe 5 which extends irom the reservoir 1. The barrels 3 are of equal length, and an igniting means such as a spark plug 6 is set adiacent the outer end of each of the barrels. The spark plugs are spaced at equal distances from the point of convergence of the barrels. g

The combustible material is fed thru the pipe 5 and simultaneously into all of the barrels 3. when the material reaches the spark plugs 6, it is ignited and the impact of the rapidly expanding material in each of the barrels is exerted on the check 7 of the valve 4, thus urging the plane orthe like 8 in a forward direction. The barrels 3 are open at their outer ends so that the material can exhaust out of the barrels at the diverging ends.

In Figure 4, the barrels 9 converge in a plate 10 which is positioned at a point remote from the object which is to be propelled. The barrels 9 00 are fed at their diverging ends as shown at 11. The same reservoir (not shown) is used to supply the combustible material to the barrels. A spark plug 12 is provided in each of the barrels 9 and the spark plugs are placed adjacent to the feed end of the barrels. The propelling action oithe expanding material in the barrels is the same as previously described, namely, the material is ignited in the barrels, is directed along converging paths and the expanding material exerts a pressure against the plate 10 thru which each of the barrels extend. The expanding material also exerts a pressure on the check valve 11' the same as described in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive. A hood extends from the plate 10 and it is open at the rear sothat the gases can pass into the air. In Figure 5, I have again illustrated a plurality of diverging barrels 13, and these barrels extend from, and protrude thru a plate 14 at their con-- verging ends. The combustible material is fed to the barrels thru the main supply pipe 15 and thru smaller branch pipes 16, one of which-extends to each of the barrels 13 at some point between the ends of the barrels. A spark plug, or the like 1'1, is provided in each of the barrels adja- 86 cent the outer ends thereof. The barrels are open at the outer ends and the converging expending gases, after they are ignited, exert a propelling force on a cap 18 which extends from the plate 14. This cap is closed at the top so that the expanding gases can exert aforce on this top wall.

In Figure 6, I have illustrated a single housing or compartment 19 closed at one end by the wall 20 and open at the other end. The housing is divided into two chambers 21-22 by a wall 23 which may be triangular or conical in form. The base of the cone 24 is adjacent the open end of the housing 19'. Material is fed into the compartments 21--22 thru pipes 2526 respectively, and the charge is ignited by spark plugs or the. like 27-28. The charge, after it is ignited, ex-. 'pands in both directions and impinges upon the wall 20 at one end and upon the surface 24 at the other end, thus exerting a double propelling force upon the object which is to be propelled.

Having described my invention, I claim,

1. An improved propelling means comprising a housing, closed at one endandop'en at the other, a partition in said housing whereby two compartments are formed therein, an impinging surface adjacent the open end of the housing, fluid intake means between the ends of said housing whereby combustible fluid is admitted into the cpmpartments, ignition means whereby the fluid is ignited in both compartments, the ignited fluid impinging upon the closed end of the housing and upon said impinging surface adjacent the open end of the housing.

2. An improved propelling means comprising a plate, a plurality of pipes converging in said plate and extending therethru, fluid intake means at the ends of said pipes remote from the plate, ignition means in each of said pipes whereby the fluid is simultaneously ignited in all of said pipes, and a certain number of said pipes being soar-ranged that the ignited fluid passing therefrom will be directed transversely across the ignited fluid passing from another of said pipes.

3. An improved propelling meanscomprising a plate, a. plurality of pipes converging in'said plate and extending therethru, fluid intake means at the ends of said pipes remote from the plate, ignition means in each of said pipes whereby the fluid is simultaneously ignited in all of said pipes, and a certain number of said pipes being so arranged that the ignited fluid passing therefrom will be directed transversely across the ignited fluid passing from another of said pipes, and a hood extending from said plate.

4. An improved propelling means comprising a plate, a plurality of pipes diverging from the plate, each of said pipes extending thru the plate, a cap on the plate, said cap being closed at the top whereby a chamber is formed, fluid'intake means extending into each of the pipes and ignition means in each of the pipes whereby the fluid is ignited.

ALBERT L. WIDDIS. 

